Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Just spent 10 nights in Vegas (see trip reports) and used my last day of scheduled vacation to purchase an already established on-line fruit basket business. I had already set up my LLC and business bank account, just needed to write the check. I quickly created a facebook page to get some social media buzz and increase the orders. The next things I need to do are get the websites updated some and increase search engine optimization. I'm still keeping my full time corporate job while I grow this business, but just thought I would check and see if anyone here has any advice for me.

Too many businesses do not keep their web and facebook current.
And, they do not answer email. Check all your email contact forms, etc to make sure they work.

Take care of your customers.

Click to expand...

Thank you! I created the Facebook page and plan to keep a close eye on it, I also have two millennial daughters who are helping with all of the social media. Good free help! The previous owner was just running the business as a hobby so didn't do much marketing, but he was very big on taking care of customers. I definitely plan to continue with that high touch service.

This might be further down the road, but an eCRM program where you're sending emails during key occasions to remind past purchasers is not a bad idea. They're plenty of email campaign creation tools that let you monitor the success of your emails as well.

I'd also take a look at similar businesses and see how they're marketing themselves. FTD and 1800-Flowers are great examples. They do lots of interesting things....but the biggest thing is how they scaled: is it possible to build local vendors who can create and distribute your baskets locally? Allowing you to do same-day delivery and such?

Finally, people these days are all about personalization. Do you offer gift personalization? Can you engrave or etch and name; author a custom card; include their favorite bottle of wine? These are all random ideas but you get the jist.

This might be further down the road, but an eCRM program where you're sending emails during key occasions to remind past purchasers is not a bad idea. They're plenty of email campaign creation tools that let you monitor the success of your emails as well.

I'd also take a look at similar businesses and see how they're marketing themselves. FTD and 1800-Flowers are great examples. They do lots of interesting things....but the biggest thing is how they scaled: is it possible to build local vendors who can create and distribute your baskets locally? Allowing you to do same-day delivery and such?

Finally, people these days are all about personalization. Do you offer gift personalization? Can you engrave or etch and name; author a custom card; include their favorite bottle of wine? These are all random ideas but you get the jist.

Good luck!

Click to expand...

I plan to add more suppliers eventually, but right now don't see how to implement your great ideas. Will definitely keep them in mind for the future.